The Businessmen Association Club Pro-Sper met for an ordinary session, during which the participants debated the policies of improving the investment climate, attracting investors and capital in Moldova, Info-Prim Neo reports. One of the presented studies reported some worrying figures: in 1999, agriculture, industry and trade formed 53% of the Gross Domestic Product. Now, 60% of the GDP is raised from taxes. As the policies of foreign trade and economic growth weren’t properly coordinated, the ratio between exports and imports has decreased. Besides, the state failed to replicate successful programs from Chisinau in other districts, as 90% of the foreign investments still come to the capital. Because of state’s excessive involvement in economy, limited market opportunities, undeveloped infrastructure, corruption, limited access to finances and macroeconomic instability, foreign and local businessmen avoid investing money in Moldova. Moreover, the country has a critical rating- Moody’s B3, which means the risks in this country are high and limits it access to private capital markets. There are 3500 companies in Moldova founded by foreign investors. The overall amount of investments is estimated at 20 billions lei, but 80% of them are not in export targeted affairs. “Foreign investments come with the speed of national achievements and leave with that of international crises”, the study says. The “Doing business 2010” top ranks Moldova 94 out of 183 countries and shows that the regulation reform is incomplete. Thus, the laws slow down the development of dynamic companies involved in foreign trade, while the reform mainly helped local sectors of economy, which do not export. EBRD notices a stagnation of the reform between 2005 and 2009, as no structural reform hasn’t been implemented over the last 3 years. The political instability, inappropriate policies and public authorities’ incapacity cause Moldova to be less attractive for investors than its direct competitors from South-Eastern Europe. Vitalie Iurcu, manager of Moldtelecom, said Moldova must carry out the regulation reform and achieve a high rating. He also noticed that the state didn’t guarantee businessmen’s credits, which is an issue that needs to be solved. Victor Cibotaru, manager of JLC Group, said Moldova should use investments to develop export targeted businesses and produce original goods. He thinks this is the only solution, considering that over the last years, the economy was kept alive by the export of work force and remittances of billions of dollars. Cibotaru also said a higher role should be given to local investors, not only to foreign ones. The Pro-Sper Club was founded at the beginning of November. During its meeting, on Thursdays, businessmen reunite and communicate. Sometimes, local or international experts, as well as government representatives, participate. .